By Liverpool FC
Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former player Bobby Graham, aged 80.
A forward who made more than 100 appearances for the Reds under Bill Shankly, the Scot died on Wednesday night.
Born in Motherwell, Graham joined the club as an apprentice in 1960 and would progress through the ranks to make his debut at senior level four years later.
It was a particularly auspicious occasion, too, with Graham scoring his first goal as Liverpool marked their maiden European fixture at Anfield by beating KR Reykjavik 6-1.
Still just 19, a dream start in the shirt continued 12 days later as he delivered one of the greatest ever league debuts – Bobby netted a hat-trick in a 5-1 home win against Aston Villa.
Despite that, he had to wait for regular game time until the end of the decade, with 1969-70 undoubtedly his most memorable individual season.
That term, Graham played in all 54 matches for Liverpool and was the team’s top scorer with 21 goals, his tally including a strike in a famous 3-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.
He hit the target three times at the outset of 1970-71 but sadly in the October suffered a broken leg in an Anfield clash with Chelsea that ultimately curtailed his Reds career.
Bobby returned in the final months of that campaign and added another six goals to his record before bidding farewell to Liverpool in March 1972 and joining Coventry City.
He did so having totalled 137 appearances and 42 goals for the club.
Graham also had a loan spell with Tranmere Rovers, and then headed back north of the border to represent Motherwell and Hamilton Academical.
The thoughts of everyone at LFC are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
RIP Bobby Graham, 1944-2025
Published 60 minutes ago
